The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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Paternal Family Tree: Holles
On 9th March 1607 Gervase Holles was born to [his father] Frescheville Holles of Grimsby. He was baptised on 13th March 1607 at Grimsby.
On 10th May 1630 [his father] Frescheville Holles of Grimsby died.
In 1636 Gervase Holles (age 28) was elected Mayor of Grimsby.
In 1638 Gervase Holles (age 30) was elected Mayor of Grimsby.
In April 1640 Gervase Holles (age 33) was elected MP Grimsby in the Short Parliament.
In November 1640 Gervase Holles (age 33) was elected MP Grimsby in the Long Parliament.
Before 8th June 1642 Gervase Holles (age 35) and Elizabeth Molesworth were married.
On 8th June 1642 [his son] Freschville Holles was born to Gervase Holles (age 35) and [his wife] Elizabeth Molesworth.
In 1661 Gervase Holles (age 53) was elected MP Grimsby which seat he held until his death in 1675.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 28th September 1667. After dinner comes [his son] Sir Fr. Hollis (age 25) to me about business; and I with him by coach to the Temple [Map], and there I 'light; all the way he telling me romantic lies of himself and his family, how they have been Parliamentmen for Grimsby, he and his forefathers, this 140 years; and his father (age 60) is now: and himself, at this day, stands for to be, with his father, by the death of his fellow-burgess; and that he believes it will cost him as much as it did his predecessor, which was £300 in ale, and £52 in buttered ale; which I believe is one of his devilish lies.
On 28th May 1672 [his son] Freschville Holles (age 29) died at the Battle of Solebay at which he was in command of the Cambridge. He was buried at the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map] in an unmarked grave.
On 10th February 1675 Gervase Holles (age 67) died.
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Holles
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Holles
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Holles
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Scopham
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Scopham
GrandFather: Gervase Holles
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Denzell
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Denzell
Father: Frescheville Holles of Grimsby